Howell shrublands in the Northern Tablelands and Nandewar bioregions - endangered ecological community listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Howell Shrublands in the Northern Tablelands and Nandewar Bioregions as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY on Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act. The listing of Endangered Ecological Communities is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. The Howell Shrublands is the name given to the plant community from the local government areas of Inverell and Manilla (within the Northern Tablelands and Nandewar Bioregions) that is characterised by the following assemblage of species:

2. The total species list of the community is considerably larger than that given in 1 (above), with many species present in only one or two sites or in very small quantity. In any particular site not all of the assemblage listed in 1 may be present. At any one time, seeds of some species may only be present in the soil seed bank with no above-ground individuals present. The species composition of the site will be influenced by the size of the site and by its recent disturbance history. The number of species and the above-ground composition of species will change with time since fire, and may also change in response to changes in fire frequency.

3. Howell Shrublands has been recorded primarily around Copeton Dam and Goonoowigal near Inverell (LGA Inverell) with a small occurrence (about 10 ha) at Warrabah (LGA Manilla). These occurrences are within the Northern Tablelands and Nandewar Bioregions.

4. Howell Shrublands are dominated by low shrubs particularly Homoranthus prolixus and Babingtonia densifolia. Occasionally all shrubs may be absent giving a grassland structure or Callitris endlicheri and various eucalypts such as Eucalyptus dealbata and Eucalyptus prava may be present giving the appearance of a low open woodland. Howell Shrublands have been described in Hunter, J. & Clarke, P. (1998) Cunninghamia 5(3) :547-618.

5. Howell Shrublands occur on granitic outcrops and has been recorded on Gilgai Granite (undifferentiated), leucoadamellite and Tingha Granite. The area covered by granite outcrops is likely to be about 500-800 ha of which Howell Shrublands community is likely to actually cover about 100-200 ha.

6. Rare and threatened species in Howell Shrublands include Homoranthus prolixus, Boronia granitica, Eucalyptus mckieana, Monotaxis macrophylla, Leionema rotundifolium and Acacia granitica.

7. The main occurrence of the Howell Shrublands areas are not known to be conserved in any National Parks though it may possibly occur in Copeton State Conservation Area. Part of the small southern occurrence (about 2ha) is conserved in Warrabah National Park.

8. The most significant threat to the Howell Shrublands is grazing by goats. There are large herds throughout the area occupied by the Howell Shrublands community. Rabbits also cause substantial modification to the community. Other impacts are from sheep grazing and clearing, weed invasion, roadworks and powerline constructions. Increased mining activity and inappropriate fire regimes are potential threats.

9. In view of 6,7 and 8 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Howell Shrublands in the Northern Tablelands and Nandewar Bioregions is likely to become extinct in nature unless factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate and that listing as an endangered ecological community is warranted.

Proposed Gazettal date: 7/7/00
Exhibition period: 7/7/00 - 11/8/00